Henry looked rather resentful, which the admiral could
not but observe, and so, less with the devil-may-care
manner in which he usually spoke, the old man addressed
him.

“Hark ye, Mr. Henry Bannerworth, you ain’t
best pleased with me, and in that case I don’t
know that I shall stay to trouble you any longer, as
for your friend who has left you, sooner or later you’ll
find him out—­I tell you there’s no
good in that fellow. Do you think I’ve been
cruizing about for a matter of sixty years, and don’t
know an honest man when I see him. But never
mind, I’m going on a voyage of discovery for
my nephew, and you can do as you like.”

“Heaven only knows, Admiral Bell,” said
Henry, “who is right and who is wrong.
I do much regret that you have quarrelled with Mr.
Marchdale; but what is done can’t be undone.”

“Do not leave us,” said Flora; “let
me beg of you, Admiral Bell, not to leave us; for
my sake remain here, for to you I can speak freely
and with confidence, of Charles, when probably I can
do so to no one else. You knew him well and have
a confidence in him, which no one else can aspire
to. I pray you, therefore, to stay with us.”

“Only on one condition,” said the admiral.

“Name it—­name it!

“You think of letting the Hall?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Let me have it, then, and let me pay a few
years in advance. If you don’t, I’m
d——­d if I stay another night in the
place. You must give me immediate possession,
too, and stay here as my guests until you suit yourselves
elsewhere. Those are my terms and conditions.
Say yes, and all’s right; say no, and I’m
off like a round shot from a carronade. D——­me,
that’s the thing, Jack, isn’t it?”

“Ay, ay, sir.”

There was a silence of some few moments after this
extraordinary offer had been made, and then they spoke,
saying,—­

“Admiral Bell, your generous offer, and the
feelings which dictated it, are by far too transparent
for us to affect not to understand them. Your
actions, Admiral—­”

“Oh, bother my actions! what are they to you?
Come, now, I consider myself master of the house,
d—­n you! I invite you all to dinner,
or supper, or to whatever meal comes next. Mrs.
Bannerworth, will you oblige me, as I’m an old
fool in family affairs, by buying what’s wanted
for me and my guests? There’s the money,
ma’am. Come along, Jack, we’ll take
a look over our new house. What do you think of
it?”

“Wants some sheathing, sir, here and there.”

“Very like; but, however, it will do well enough
for us; we’re in port, you know. Come along.”

“Ay, ay, sir.”

And off went the admiral and Jack, after leaving a
twenty pound note in Mrs. Bannerworth’s lap.